Dubai International 'world leader in passenger growth'

Dubai International was the world's fastest growing major airport for international traffic in 2009, according to new figures.

The hub handled a record 40.9 million passengers last year, an increase of 9.2 per cent from 2008.

Recent statistics from Airports Council International show that Dubai International was one of only four hubs to report positive growth in 2009, the others being Istanbul (6.3 per cent), Kuala Lumpur (4.6 per cent) and Cairo (1.5 per cent).

Passenger numbers at Dubai International reached 3.8 million in December 2009, 14 per cent up from the 3.3 million recorded the previous year.

The rise was the airport's seventh consecutive double-digit increase in traffic.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports and chief executive of Emirates, said: "Dubai Airports is setting the pace globally. Dubai International's performance as one of the world's fastest growing airports in 2009 is particularly impressive considering the traffic contraction seen globally.

"This rapid growth strengthens our commitment to continue building Dubai into a world-class global aviation and logistics hub."

Further growth of 13.6 per cent is forecast for 2010, which would bring annual passenger numbers at the airport to 46 million.

Posted by Andrea, 14 January 2010 11:15

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